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Quiet Eagle is carrying load

By VINCENT THOMAS
Published September 21, 2005

It can be said football is about brawn and aggression - big guys colliding in fits of controlled, and sometimes uncontrolled, rage. It's in this realm that Mike King is unique. With the physique of a compact, muscular gymnast and a demeanor like a librarian, the 5-foot-6 King won't win any Ray Lewis look-alike contests.

This doesn't bother King much, especially not when he's taking off for 70-yard touchdowns, like he did against South Lake on Friday. The track star took a sweep-toss to the left on the Eagles' second play, and streaked down the sideline in a blur - all 139 pounds of him.

"Yeah, Mike is small and quiet," Springstead coach Bill Vonada said. "But, he doesn't play small and quiet."

Vonada realized King's demeanor didn't necessarily dictate his play when he brought King up from junior varsity for the 2003 regular-season finale against Clearwater Central Catholic. King, even smaller and more reserved back then, broke out for two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Last season King spent most offensive downs on the sideline, watching fullback Tim Dow and quarterback Ian Wald carry the offensive load. But in spring practice, his moment was upon him.

"I knew my role was going to increase, so I just tried to bulk up a little and get ready," King said.

He gained about five pounds over the summer, significant for one with his frame. He said he was in the gym at least two hours a day during the summer. It's probably safe to say King wasn't screaming like a madman and beating on his chest with veins popping out of his neck, but that doesn't mean he wasn't working. He can bench press 235 pounds, nearly twice his weight. And King's teammates recognize his work ethic, too.

"Last year, one of the seniors told me that Mike is the one of the guys that inspires him after seeing how Mike trains," Vonada said. "And he plays like he works."

King's offseason regimen is bearing fruit this season, and he's blossoming in his new featured role in the Springstead offense. He leads the Eagles with 345 yards rushing and has three touchdowns.

Small and quiet is never as noticeable as big and loud, but those big plays are getting King more attention off the field. King, as usual, has 1,000 words to describe how he feels about his new notoriety.

"Uh, yeah - it feels kind of great."

Vincent Thomas can be reached at vthomas@sptimes.com or 352 848-1430.

[Last modified September 21, 2005, 00:24:18]